[.380awsome]

i have come to the conclusion that the 3" S&W .38 or .357 snubs with round but grips are one of the best CCW choices and can be found reasonably priced quite often,6 shots is no problem ,reliablility and simplicity is another thing that makes it great,what do you guys think?:D

[krs]

Three inch barrels aren't THAT easy to find, but two inch, or 1 7/8" not so hard to find, and for carrying shorter is probably better.
Use crimson trace on a snubby .38 and be awesome.

[Deanimator]

The gun I carried today was a 3" S&W Model 65. There are things as good. Nothing better.

[Blueduck]

3" K-Frames are a bit harder to find (still quite a few model 65's though), but 3" L-Frame model 686's and 3" J frame model 60's are current production items.

Me thinks the 2" 640 may be the most underated carry gun ever.

[The Lone Haranguer]

The three-inch balances better and allows a full stroke of the ejector rod while detracting very little from concealability.

[pogo2]

I have the K frame model 66 in both 3 inch and 2.5 inch lengths, and a holster that fits either one. They feel and shoot almost exactly the same, as 1/2 inch of barrel doesn't make that much difference. I think they are both excellent carry guns, and have used both. I probably carry the 2.5 inch more, because it didn't cost me as much and I don't mind risking a scratch on it as much. The 3 inch is really sort of a safe queen.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/pogo2/SWtwo66s10.jpg

[rondog]

I recently bought a nickled S&W Model 49 .38 snubbie, it carries very well in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/DSCN1795.jpg

[The Bushmaster]

Mod 19 with 2 1/2" barrel. Mine's nickel...The model 19 is easy to find. Just a bit pricier then they used to be.

[wnycollector]

The three-inch balances better and allows a full stroke of the ejector rod while detracting very little from concealability.

Yep...what he said:) I prefer the full length ejector on .357 revolvers...thats why I picked up a 2.75" ruger "six"!

[Ala Dan]

Well, I just recently acquired a 3" Smith & Wesson J-frame model 60-4
in .38 Special; as very few of 'em were made in 1990. It goes nicely
with my Smith & Wesson 2.5" barrel model 66-4. However, I probably
won't use either for a CCW piece; as I carry mostly self-loaders these
days~! :( ;) :D

[krs]

Rondog, you a copycat? :)
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/twagger/guns/SmithM49.jpg


I'm on the lookout for 3" Smith revolvers - got a newfound taste for them looking at photos posted by Pogo2 above and a couple of other people in here who have more refined tastes than mine.

[chris in va]

You're not gonna be shooting it at 25 yards in a SD scenerio. Get the shorter barrel.

[ArchAngelCD]

It's hard to beat a 3" K frame revolver for a carry piece. They are hard to find but that's easily fixed. But a 4" M65 police turn-in and have it done over including a trigger job and shortening the barrel to 3". You will probably spend just over $500 in total which is still less than most new guns today and you will be getting exactly what you want.

[GRIZ22]

S&W 3" or 2.5" CCW?


The only time a half inch of barrel might make a difference is if you are trying to put the gun in a specific size box.

Carry what you like and enjoy.

[Stainz]

I had a 3" 65. I had to carry it in an OWB pancake holster. I already had a 3" - a 696. I carried the 65 a few times, but I have never carried the 696 - a 4" 625MG in .45 Colt is only 4 oz heavier. I tried my 2.5" 296 AirLite/hammerless version of the 696 - easier to carry, but still an infrequent carry. Then I discovered the pocket holsters of Robert Mika.

My 296 in a Mika pocket holster fits ~3/4 of my britches front pockets - and became a frequent carry. I had also ordered a holster for a 1.88" 642 Airweight - and found one LNIB for a great price. It fits everything - rides everywhere - even in my shorts pocket while I am walking the neighborhood - or mowing the grass.

The key is to have a CCW with you... a 2.5/3 inch SS revolver is more fun to shoot - and easier to shoot well - even at 25yd. You don't need that - you need something you will likely carry. Most 'encounters of the unfriendly kind' require something to shoot within 3 & 7 yards. Get a 442/642 for carry. If you still, like me, need an excuse to buy 2.5/3 in steel revolvers, say they are for 'bedside guns'...

Stainz

[Deanimator]

The key is to have a CCW with you... a 2.5/3 inch SS revolver is more fun to shoot - and easier to shoot well - even at 25yd. You don't need that - you need something you will likely carry. Most 'encounters of the unfriendly kind' require something to shoot within 3 & 7 yards. Get a 442/642 for carry. If you still, like me, need an excuse to buy 2.5/3 in steel revolvers, say they are for 'bedside guns'...
I carry my 3" 65 IWB nearly every day. At least until I get a better holster for my Glock 19, it's more comfortable to carry IWB than the thinner, flatter Glock.

[.380awsome]

im not saying i cant decide whether or not i want a 2.5 or 3" but im just saying in general both of the guns i have in mind are k-frames im just asking how well they conceal

[rcmodel]

IMO: Barrel length on a revolver, within reason, makes very little difference in concealment.

Get past the cylinder & grip bulge, and the barrel just goes along for a free ride.

The 3" will give better velocity & power compared to the 1 7/8".

rcmodel

[pogo2]

The poster asked how easily a K frame snubby conceals. I think it conceals pretty well with a good OWB high ride holster and belt. The rounded, fairly thin grip conceals easily compared to most semiauto grips which have more sharp corners that stick out. And because of its short barrel the gun and holster don't extend very far below the belt line, making the cover garment problem fairly easy. The cylinder bulge is manageble because the cylinder is round and not very long.

Here is my 66 with 2.5 inch barrel in my favorite pancake holster:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/pogo2/SW66-3holster03.jpg

[C-grunt]

The only problem I have carrying my 3 inch SP101 is that I havent got a good holster yet for it. The cheap Uncle Mikes soft sides with the plastic clip were good the day I bought the Ruger (had to have something for it) but its not cutting it anymore. But with a baby on the way, I cant get 60 bucks out of the wife for a better holster. Maybe Christmas.